What the pause means
IRCC announced on July 15, 2026 that it was pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. Until further notice, IRCC will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or issue new invitations to potential sponsors.
Applications already submitted remain in processing. Families with an existing file should continue to respond to requests and report material changes through the appropriate IRCC channel.
The super visa remains available
IRCC identified the super visa as an option for eligible parents and grandparents who want extended visits with family in Canada. A super visa is temporary residence, not permanent residence, and it has separate income, insurance, medical and admissibility requirements.
Planning during the pause
- Do not submit a PGP application without an invitation.
- Keep family, income and tax records organized in case a future intake is announced.
- For temporary visits, assess super visa or regular visitor visa eligibility based on the family’s actual circumstances.
- Check IRCC directly for any future reopening announcement.
This article is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change, and the result depends on the facts of each case.